The Illusion of Meritocracy and the Audacity of Elitism: Expanding the Evaluative Space in Education

Abstract

This chapter provides a brief introduction to Policy and Inequality in Education: an edited collection authored by members of the editorial panel of the new book series: Education Policy and Social Inequality. The chapter sets the scene for both the book and the series. It draws particular attention to the book’s different international and empirical foci and suggests that in many cases, where the study of social inequality is the focus, education policy is often held in abeyance, and vice versa. The chapter also draws attention to the ways in which inequality can be reproduced both in educational settings and through education policy and practice.